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Abstract

The Slaty Creek Wildlife Underpass, built as part of the Calder Freeway at Macedon,
Victoria, was monitored for a 12-month period to establish its use by vertebrate fauna. Two
control sites were established on either side of the underpass in the adjacent Black Forest. A
monitoring regime of 14 methods was used, targeting various fauna groups, including ground
dwelling mammals, arboreal or semi-arboreal mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds.
Approximately two-thirds of the total number of species detected throughout the monitoring
period, across all sites, were detected within the Slaty Creek Underpass. With at least four
species of reptile, six species of amphibian, 24 confirmed and seven unconfirmed mammal
species and 37 bird species within or above the underpass, the Slaty Creek Underpass has
been shown to be one of the most diversely populated underpasses ever studied. Several
culverts and a smaller underpass nearby the Slaty Creek Underpass were also monitored and
were shown to have fewer species passing through them than the Slaty Creek underpass.
There were some species of birds and mammals that were detected in the surrounding forest,
but never within the underpass, but were generally detected on too few occasions to provide
for statistical analysis. Statistical analysis did demonstrate that native and some introduced
species demonstrated an attraction to the underpass, whilst some other native species were
rarely detected within the underpass, and were more often detected within the surrounding
forest. The Slaty Creek Underpass could be further enhanced with the use of rope canopy
bridges or glider poles, suitably designed and maintained fencing and enhanced revegetation
within the underpass.

Item Type:	Thesis - Coursework Master
Authors/Creators:	Abson, R
Keywords:	Animal populations, Vertebrates
Copyright Holders:	The Author
Copyright Information:	Copyright 2004 the Author - The University is continuing to endeavour to trace the copyright owner(s) and in the meantime this item has been reproduced here in good faith. We would be pleased to hear from the copyright owner(s).
Additional Information:	Thesis (M.Env.Mgt.)--University of Tasmania, 2004. Includes bibliographical references
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